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Blue-Green Algae: Hazard for Dogs

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Blue-green algae toxin poisoning, also known as cyanobacterial poisoning, is an acute, sometimes fatal, condition caused by the ingestion of water containing high concentrations of cyanobacteria.

In Oregon, dogs have become very sick, and some have died, after swimming in and swallowing water affected by toxic algae.

Poisonings are most likely to occur during warm, sunny weather when algae blooms are more intense and dense surface scums are present. If you find thick, brightly colored foam or scum at a lake, pond or river, don’t let your pet drink or swim in the water.

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Symptoms

Children and pets are particularly susceptible to blue-green algae. Exposure to blue-green algae can result in:

Numbness

Tingling

Dizziness

Difficulty breathing

Skin irritation

Weakness

Diarrhea, nausea, and cramps

Fainting

Heart problems

If Your Dog Does Go in the Water

Don’t let your pet lick its fur.

Wash your pet with clean water as soon as possible.

If your dog shows symptoms such as drooling, weakness, vomiting, staggering and convulsions after being in bloom-affected water, call your veterinarian immediately. Acute, life-threatening symptoms from cyanobacterial toxins often develop rapidly. Death can occur within 4 to 24 hours after exposure.

Treatment

Treatment is primarily supportive in nature. Your veterinarian may administer activated charcoal slurries to absorb the cyanobacterial toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Because the toxins are excreted rapidly from the body within a few days, animals that survive the initial tissue damage have a good chance for recovery.